Waterford offers residents comfortable, no-hassle living

Homey might be an overused word, but it's perfect to describe the atmosphere at The Waterford at Iron Bridge, according to Kevin Wilbur, the facility's executive director.

Located on the south side of Spring-field at 1131 E. Lakewood, The Water-ford is owned by Capital Senior Living of Dallas, which operates 53 such facilities across the country.

Construction of The Waterford at Iron Bridge began in the summer of 2000; it opened June 1. Wilbur said the Spring-field market was a perfect place for Capital to build its latest operation. "The Springfield area was in need of a new independent living facility," he said. "We found that the town was growing, but a new independent living facility hadn't been opened here in about 15 years. We were also able to find a great location on which to build, a property near Twin Oaks Country Club."

Capital's instincts about the southwest Missouri market were right on the money the company has built 18 facilities in the last two years, and the Springfield location has led the pack in filling the fastest. Wilbur said The Waterford is now a third full after only four months.

Independent living

The Waterford contains 120 apartments and covers 105,000 square feet. Wilbur is careful to make a distinction between independent living and assisted living. Assisted living arrangements, he said, provide medical support, usually in the form of on-site nursing care, while independent living situations do not. "People who live in an independent living facility have to be able to take care of themselves," he said.

A resident can live at an independent living facility if home health care or help from relatives with medications and other concerns can be obtained, Wilbur said.

This fact is evidenced by the average age of the Springfield location's residents 73. One resident at The Waterford is 92, he said, proof that independent living can extend long into the twilight years. "Once a resident moves in, he or she could stay here until they die," he added.

Life at The Waterford is extremely comfortable, according to Wilbur. The facility provides housekeeping for residents, who also enjoy two meals per day and continental breakfast in the dining room. "We have an enormous, beautiful dining room," Wilbur said. "We serve the meals restaurant-style, ordered from a menu, from 11:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. The food is as close to home-style as it can possibly be."

Transportation and events

The Waterford provides transportation to doctor's appointments and scheduled transportation for shopping, as well as opportunities for socializing. "We go to Branson, we go shopping and to the movies," Wilbur said. "A lot of people move in strictly for the opportunity to socialize." The facility also holds monthly events such as picnics and an Oktoberfest for residents.

While The Waterford continues to fill its remaining 80 units, those events will be open to the public so more people can get a good look at the facility; but, Wilbur said, the interested or curious can drop in anytime. "Just stop by for a tour, or even to try the food," he added.

Wilbur said that Capital Senior Living paid careful attention to avoiding an institutional feel at The Waterford. "We've made it very homey, with lots of personal touches in dcor," he said. "It's decorated just like a house if you had a 105,000-square-foot house." Resi-dents' apartments, which are furnished with full kitchens, are also equipped with pull cords to summon help, if necessary. While appliances are provided, residents bring their own furniture to the facility.

Early success

Wilbur said he is pleasantly surprised by the early success The Waterford has seen, which he attributes to the extraordinary labor pool in the Ozarks. "I'm overwhelmed by the great staff I've been able to hire and the residents themselves," he said. "That's what has made us a success."

A history buff, Wilbur said he witnessed the rare historical perspective of The Waterford's residents on the events of Sept. 11. He said residents watched the facility's big screen television as the day unfolded, and while many became emotional at the realization of what was happening, still more watched the reports in silence, recalling their own wartime experiences.

According to Wilbur, the residents, many of whom are World War II and Korean War veterans, were not as anxious as many Americans to plunge into a retaliation mode, because they had already experienced the horrors of war and have an intimate knowledge of what's at stake. "That day devastated them just like Pearl Harbor had before," he said.

Wilbur, who relocated from Omaha, Neb., with wife Mari and children Kath-leen and Chris to open The Waterford, said that he's enjoying the Ozarks and the unique folks who occupy The Waterford.

"It's a fun job and I love what I do," he said. He hopes that more people will continue to take a look at The Waterford and see exactly what independent living is and how it can enrich peoples' lives. "It's like living on a cruise ship for the rest of your life," he said.